Deism was often synonymous with natural religion (as distinct from revealed religion) in the 17th and 18th centuries; it meant belief in a God, but not in any particular mystical or supernatural powers. The word itself was probably coined in the middle of the 16th century in France, but the concept began to emerge in British theology in the 17th century, most notably in De Veritate (1624) by Lord Edward Herbert of Cherbury. By the middle of the 17th century, deism was beginning to concern orthodox theologians, and any suggestion of it was quickly attacked. Yet other theologians, for example,...

Deism was often synonymous with natural religion (as distinct from revealed religion) in the 17th and 18th centuries; it meant belief in a God, but no...

"Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst," declared Thomas Paine, adding, "every other species of tyranny is limited to the world we live in; but this attempts to stride beyond the grave, and seeks to pursue us into eternity." Paine's years of study and reflection on the role of religion in society culminated with his final work, The Age of Reason. This coolly reasoned polemic influenced religious thinking throughout the world at the dawn of the nineteenth century, and its resonance remains undiminished by time.The selfsame humanist and...

"Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst," declared Thomas Paine, adding, "every other species of tyranny is limite...

Shaftesbury's Characteristics of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times was published in 1711. It ranges widely over ethics, aesthetics, religion, the arts (painting, literature, architecture, gardening), and ancient and modern history, and aims at nothing less than a new ideal of the gentleman. Together with Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding and Addison and Steele's Spectator, it is a text of fundamental importance for understanding the thought and culture of Enlightenment Europe. This volume presents a new edition of the text together with an introduction, explanatory notes and a guide to...

Shaftesbury's Characteristics of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times was published in 1711. It ranges widely over ethics, aesthetics, religion, the arts (pa...

Religion in many parts of the world, in both politics and personal life, for good or ill, is now exerting a greater influence than at any time in living memory. There is now not merely a cultural-religious confrontation between a worldwide Islam and what it sees as an affluent agnostic West, but the worrying rise of Christian fundamentalism in the most powerful nation on earth. And the latter has its distinctive political agenda. Part of this agenda entails a biased approach to the Israeli-Palestinian issue, but the most significant aspect of all religiously-inspired politics is...

Religion in many parts of the world, in both politics and personal life, for good or ill, is now exerting a greater influence than at any time in livi...

Originally published in 1936. Contents Include Facing Backwards Religion in the Making The Conception of the Spirit The Spirits of the Dead Spirit and Matter Tabu Magic Shamanism Totemism Sacrifice and Mythology Facing Forwards: Religion in the Evolution

Originally published in 1936. Contents Include Facing Backwards Religion in the Making The Conception of the Spirit The Spirits of the Dead Spirit and...

By using the texts, scriptures, and teachings of most global religions, the author provides ample evidence in this book as to why religions must die. Most religions provide all the ammunition to use against them, while other belief systems are criticized by the author with reasoned argument and common sense thinking. This book offers the reader a choice: Abandon religion and walk forward into the light of rational thinking, or nurture religion and take a leap back into the darkness of ignorance, blind faith and superstition. Besides being a polemic commentary on religion and giving clear...

By using the texts, scriptures, and teachings of most global religions, the author provides ample evidence in this book as to why religions must di...

Thomas Paine was a brilliant man who played a vital role in the American Revolution of 1776. This was the last book he wrote, which centers almost entirely around Christianity. To Paine, it made sense to question everything in order to make valid answers possible. He puts forth many questions in this book regarding Christianity, confronting many beliefs with pure and rational reason.

Thomas Paine was a brilliant man who played a vital role in the American Revolution of 1776. This was the last book he wrote, which centers almost ent...

Interprets the works of an important group of writers known as 'the English deists'. This title argues that this interpretation reads Romantic conceptions of religious identity into a period in which it was lacking. It contextualizes these writers within the early Enlightenment, which was multivocal, plural and in search of self definition.

Interprets the works of an important group of writers known as 'the English deists'. This title argues that this interpretation reads Romantic concept...

The writers known as the English deists were not simply religious controversialists, but agents of reform who contributed to the emergence of modernity. This title claims that these writers advocated a failed ideology which itself declined after 1730. It argues for an evolution of their ideas into a more modern form.

The writers known as the English deists were not simply religious controversialists, but agents of reform who contributed to the emergence of modernit...

Brad Fregger, futurist, businessman, author, professor, international speaker, publisher, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, shares his research and ideas concerning creation, evolution, Universal Consciousness. the holographic universe, and life and death. Much of what he writes will be controversial on both sides of many of these issues, and some are both unbelievable and downright weird. However, it is a good read that should spark some very interesting discussions. "It is so obvious, the singularity explodes in the Big Bang; matter, energy, space, time, and consciousness are...

"God Seeks Us" Is a book written by God to get the attention of the 200 million people in the U.S who do not attend Synagogue, Church, Mosque or whatever. God reintroduces Himself and gently urges the reader to turn back to God and their own religion. This is an interfaith book and does not call for conversion to a new religion. There is a DVD cantaining three films about God that complements this book. Rabbi Steven Pinsky says this book is a genuine guide for Jews, Christians, Muslims and others who want to find their individual ways back to a meaningful and fulfilling spiritual path....

"God Seeks Us" Is a book written by God to get the attention of the 200 million people in the U.S who do not attend Synagogue, Church, Mosque or whate...

Deification penetrates all spheres of human existence, and can be seen as an answer to most pending ultimate questions. It is essentially practical in its manifestation and uplifting in its content, but nevertheless, always evasive and arcane in its comprehension. Aimed both at those who are already students of theosis and at those who are looking for an introductory text, this book contains biblical and historical-theological essays that offer innovative approaches to the issue of theosis the transformation of believers into the likeness of God. The interconnection between deification and...

Deification penetrates all spheres of human existence, and can be seen as an answer to most pending ultimate questions. It is essentially practical in...

Ethan Allen's Reason: The Only Oracle of Man is a hard hitting attack on superstition and "revealed" religion while encouraging the replacement of superstition in our lives and in our ideas concerning God with innate God-given reason. Ethan Allen was an American Revolutionary War hero. He and his "Green Mountain Boys" captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British, thus securing much needed supplies and weapons for General George Washington and his rebels. Unfortunately, Allen was captured in his next engagement with British forces and spent years anguishing in British prison ships and in a...

Ethan Allen's Reason: The Only Oracle of Man is a hard hitting attack on superstition and "revealed" religion while encouraging the replacement of sup...

C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity has been read by millions of people over the last six decades. Not surprisingly, it is most popular with Christians who see it as demonstrating the reasonableness of Christianity. However, if we follow the advice of philosophy and objectively apply our innate God-given reason to the arguments Lewis puts forward for Christianity, we soon see they are painfully lacking. No matter how hard Lewis attempts to unite innate God-given reason and Christianity, he fails. An Answer to C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity helps the reader to realize not only the absurdity of Lewis'...

C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity has been read by millions of people over the last six decades. Not surprisingly, it is most popular with Christians who ...

This book is the translation into the Afrikaans language of 'The life and morals of Jesus of Nazareth' by Thomas Jefferson. Sometimes referred to as the Jefferson Bible, it is the retelling of the tale of Jesus using the four gospels with the miraculous and deified elements of the life of Jesus removed. It therefore gives the reader an interesting insight into Jesus as man and not Jesus as part of a Godhead.

This book is the translation into the Afrikaans language of 'The life and morals of Jesus of Nazareth' by Thomas Jefferson. Sometimes referred to as t...